The visual arts program nurtures creative inquiry and self-expression as students expand their visual literacy and develop their own unique artistic style. Regular visits to the galleries of The Met and other local museums allow students to explore different media, genres, and artists and find inspiration for their own work.  

Lower School

Students develop fine motor skills and spatial problem-solving abilities as they explore various art materials and techniques in projects that are integrated into the broader curriculum. Regular visits to The Met reinforce concepts introduced in class and serve as inspiration for the students’ creative growth.

Lower Mid

Students expand their creative and technical skills through individual and collaborative projects that are often connected to the social studies curriculum. Art classes regularly meet in the Carroll Classroom at The Met, where students have the opportunity to integrate their studio work with visits to the galleries.

Upper Mid

In addition to building foundational skills in painting, drawing, and sculpture, students focus on self-expression and individual growth through a variety of media and subject matters. With a deepening understanding of art as metaphor or symbol, students develop confidence in the critique, interpretation, and analysis of art.

Upper School

The Upper School art program fosters self-motivation, self-expression, and skill development for students who design their own individualized paths. Students with a passion for a specific medium have the opportunity for more in-depth study in painting, drawing, and sculpture. Advanced classes are offered for those preparing portfolios for college admission, and students may choose to take Advanced Art History or Critical Thinking in the Arts as humanities electives their senior year.

Museum Education

Marymount is the only independent school to have two dedicated classrooms in The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Thanks to this unique relationship, students become citizens of–rather than tourists in–the museum. Beginning in Nursery, students in all divisions regularly explore the galleries and identify the function art plays in the development of peoples, nations, and movements. Students also frequently visit other museums around the city, including the Cloisters, the Museum of Modern Art, the Guggenheim, the Frick, the Jewish Museum, El Museo del Barrio, and the American Museum of Natural History.